Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1887-02-11
THE BASILISK.
A STORY OF TODAY.
CHAPTER XXI.

CHAPTER XXI.
The terrible result of his suspicious
had, so far asI couldsee, only one result
upon Plowitz. No shadow seemed to
rest upon his soul; he appeared on the
day succeeding the tragedy, which had
cost the unfortunate Hardy his life,
with no perceptible diminution of his
gaiety-no ruhling of his wonted ur-
banity. Vhe only difference I could
detect in his bearing was sort of re-
turn to his friendliest manner towards
myself. Illogical though it might be,
1t seemed to me that the murder of the
wrong man had in some way convinced
him that his nascent suspicious of me
were groundless, and detected no longer
that haunting enquiring gaze with
which he had previously been in the
habit of regarding ME.
What did Miss Beaufoy know of the
tragedy? Icould not make out. judy
ing from her evident cognizance of all
that went on, allowing for the hard in
domitable spirit of which she gave such
manifest proofs, and the remorseless
mendacity with which she lent herself
o'the seclusion of Mary, I judged that
she most probably had been made a
partner of my guilty secret. Twas con-
frmed in my suspicious before night.
At dinner some carelessness in the
| cookery excited Mr.. Beaufoy's remark,
and he commented on Mrs. Hardy's
| handiwork so unconcernedly, that l felt
once more almost inclined to doubt the
evidence of my senses-unable to be-
lieve that the man who calmly criticised
his wife's cooking, had last night as
sisted at the recent interment OF the
murdered husband.
"Poor Mrs. Hardy is a good deal up
set," said the Basilisk very sympathct-
ically. 'There was quite scene when
I told her of Hardy sdeparture.
ut is remarkable" commented
Plowitz, show people of that sort, who
are scarcely even barely civil to each
! other, take on as they say when they
| are separated"
ESPECIALLY when they have not been
previously consulted about the separa-
tion." said Mr.. Beautoy gently.
'.Has Hardy gomez" I ventured to
| ask, though my voice was husky, and
could scarcely control myself.
Eyes," said Giulia. :.He has gone
abroad on business of DR.. Plowitz' s. ~
can invaluable man, Hardy" said
the doctor. $50 discreet, so silent, so
grave"
with intelligence far above his
GLASS;" said Beaufoy.
'*And never in the way when he's
not wanted.'
They were deliberately attempting a
sort of jesting tone about the poor fellow
who, whatever his faults or crimes, had
evidently been their faithful and trusted
servanto or accomplish. now realized
more fully than ever the desperately
dangerous position in which any act of
| indiscretion would place me.
"Poor Mrs. Hardyr't the Basilisk con-
tinued. "She became quite dramatic,
as those people will when they have lost
control over themselves. She wouldn' t
believe he had gone without saying
| goodbye to her, and she evidently
thinks Germany as dangerous coun-
| try for travellers as Central Africa. I
was obliged at last to ask her what she
thought we had done with him.
':And what did she say to thatp"
!sked Plowitz, delicately slipping his
laret.
'Oh, then, of course, she began to
cry, and said it was very hard on her;
and so the interview ended"
After dinner I had long tete-a-tete
evening with Miss Beaufoy. It was my
object in any way to avert all suspicion,
to make my position as secure as l
could until I could devise some means
Of rescuing Mary, making good my es-
cape, and, if possible, bringing Plowitz
at least to justice. More tender and
charming than ever was this queenly
woman Tonight: softer her voice, more
thrilling her music; and even
while I thought with exultant
hope OF that house of unholy
mysteries being ransacked high and
low by the police. felt the spell, as of
very Gree, which Giulia Beaufoy
seemed to exercise in spite Of reason
and conscience, and the knowledge
that she was accessory to a deed of
| blood.
For all my resolve to use the utmost
caution. found myself, when all was
quiet the next afternoon, sauntering
close to the little gate which led into
the inner-garden. All other means Of
access to Mary were secured, except
the secret staircase, and that I dared
not venture just yet to try. Standing
by this gate could see very easily if
anyone approached. and should have
time to resume my usual slow walk be-
fore was observed. I looked about
me, and then, with no hopes of sue
cess, tried the latch. The gate was
fast. I ratified it softly two or three
times, but the lock was firm AS I
turned away, sound which filled me
with regret for my useless rashness,
caught my ear. The lock was turned,
and the pate opened, I took no notice